Dog-Breath

Lisa Scarsi

Me and Woody, a cancer warrior with a game plan.

Six months ago, after I finished a one year project to write the 30 Minute Vet Consult series, I began my next all out research project—to develop an anti-cancer game plan. In fact, as I dug in hard to study the best published research from around the world, it’s now become a full fledged mission. Sometimes you just need to get good and sick of it—whatever “it” is. Well, I got good and sick of cancer dead ends. Sick of feeling hopeless. Sick of being unable to help friends, relatives, and my own patients. Yep, my butt is off the cancer sideline. I plan to bust more dogma, make you think, and take some action too!

Over the years, I have suffered personal panic and professional frustration whenever I face off with the BIG C. Climbing rates have put cancer in second place (just shy of cardiovascular disease—still in first place)  among  the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. Time marches on as the cancer monster continues to strike fear in the hearts of all of us—cutting the lives of our cherished pets and loved ones short, robbing of us precious time together. Making us dread each day that forces us to witness a miserable death in slow motion.

Even for us doctors, there are more questions than answers. Here are a few common ones I get: Did so and so cause my dog’s cancer?  Are there any natural treatments for cancer? How long do you think my dog will live if we don’t use chemo?

I am looking for answers to these questions and more. There won’t be any promised cures or magic bullets, but you will get the real deal—information that could make a real difference for you or your beloved pet.  As my research continues, I will report my findings in a five part series. Part I and II have already been posted and I have just completed Part III: Cracking the Cancer Code.

[Side note] The timing of my research could not have been more perfect. Three months ago I got dog owner bad news: Yep, my dog Woody was diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly, the doctor hat was off and I was the grieving pet owner feeling your pain. But there was one big difference: I knew I could help my dog battle his own cancer. No toxic chemo. No risky surgery. He would live out his days pain-free as a warrior with a game plan.

My Woody was a rescue from an overcrowded no-kill shelter where he sadly spent his puppyhood and the next 10 years of his life. Poor prison food compromised his health and no visitors left him shy and withdrawn. But one day three years ago, by a weird twist fate, he became my dog. Since then, he has astounded me with survival skills and his ability to bounce back. Did he hang on to the hope that one day he would find a life outside the walls of a chain link kennel?  Maybe he just believed there was someone who would vow to love, honor, and cherish him—I DO!